The government’s fracking tsar has quit the post after just six months, claiming policy relating to the controversial process means there is “no purpose” to her job.

Natascha Engel told the business secretary, Greg Clark, that developing the industry would be “an impossible task” despite its “enormous potential”. In her resignation letter, she said environmental activists had been “highly successful” in encouraging the government to curb fracking.

My seven year old Canon T3i has taken a real beating over the years and is beginning to have intermittent problems and recently it blew over during the last Casita build video and the jack for the intervalometer broke off inside the camera. I found a video on how to take the camera apart and replace the mic and external shutter release jacks...but I decided it was time for a new camera before I start taking this one apart (I put a lot of effort into my YouTube channel and I need good/reliable gear). I easily found the replacement part on eBay and ordered one for 12 bucks. I checked with Canon Factory Service and they no longer do any repairs or maintenance on this model. I also sent off a repair request to another camera repair shop but won't hear back from them until Monday. I am certain I will be able to do the repair myself...but I am curious how much a camera repair shop would charge. The new Canon T7 kit was $550 (my T3i was almost $800 just for the body and 2 lenses back in 2012). For another 50 bucks I ordered a compatible battery grip and two extra batteries. I discovered a couple of years ago that having twice the battery power is a must - especially when shooting a lot of video or a long time lapse sequence. The trade off on the new camera is the screen on the back is fixed and doesn't fold out or swivel - but the sensor is 24 megapixels vs. 18 megapixels on the old camera. The new lenses are identical to the ones on the old camera, but the kit price with new lenses and all the extras was worth it compared to buying the body alone. Last but not least - I have a new intervalometer coming too. Gotta keep my YouTube subscribers happy... 90,97,59,0,C

We must draw on our history to find a way through the environmental crisis that faces us

Where I grew up, visits to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum were a staple rainy-day activity. I remember the clanking of the huge, iron waterwheel and being amazed by its power. It was the plentiful rain, I was told, and the ingenuity of those behind the technology that powered the mills that ushered in the first industrial revolution, bringing Manchester and Salford into existence.

I remember thinking: if this is how far we’ve come in 200 years, what’s the future going to look like?

Labour will attempt to force Commons vote as it is revealed that the government has failed to spend anti-pollution cash

Labour will this week force a vote in parliament to declare a national environmental and climate change emergency as confidential documents show the government has spent only a fraction of a £100m fund allocated in 2015 to support clean air projects.

Jeremy Corbyn’s party will demand on Wednesday that the country wakes up to the threat and acts with urgency to avoid more than 1.5°C of warming, which will require global emissions to fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching “net zero” before 2050.

April is a great time to plant greens like spinach, lettuce, cabbage and mustard greens. Plant now so you will get some greens to eat before it gets too hot. When it is hot they will bolt and become bitter. They can be grown in part shade to last longer when the heat comes. The spinach was actually started last spring and made it through the winter and the chartreuse and purple bok choi were put out 3 weeks ago. All are covered at night with row cover.

Other good crops to plant in April are bok choi and chard. They are real workhorses in the garden being able to withstand our cold and hot seasons. They can be grown in part shade to full sun.

Also good crops to plant in April are beets and carrots. Be sure to plant these in areas of your garden that are getting full sun and water 2 times a day until they are up.

Of course all this is dependent on your soil being warm enough now. How warm should your soil be? Between 40-60 degrees. How do you know how to tell? Get a soil thermometer and stick it in your soil about 2 inches deep. Here is a soil temperature chart to help you know when to plant veggies.

And these plants should still be covered with row cover at night because of our cold temperatures.

Santa Fe Seed Library Kickoff-Saturday, March 23
If you are a gardener in Santa Fe, you should be excited about this. Santa Fe is starting a Seed Library in the Santa Fe Southside Library branch off Jaguar. All free this Saturday.

The Santa Fe Seed Library will provide open-pollinated seed to the Santa Fe Community and will encourage the development of a community of seed savers and seed stewards. The Santa Fe Seed Library is a collaboration between the Santa Fe Public Library and the Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners. In addition to providing access to open-pollinated seeds, the Seed Library will offer a number of free public programs to help facilitate the growth of a community of climate-savvy gardeners.

This Saturday is the kickoff of it with guest speakers, info tables, a Seed Swap and the movie ‘Seed: The Untold Story‘ and of course seeds! Home Grown New Mexico will be there with an info table on our classes this year and will be putting on a mini-seed swap. It will be open from 1 to 4pm at Santa Fe Southside Library, 6599 Jaguar Dr, Santa Fe, NM, Hope to see you there!

Come to our potluck this Sunday and share some food and garden experiences! Come get the class flyers for 2019!

Sunday, March 24th4 to 6 pm

Spring Fling Potluck-FREE!Come to our Spring Fling Potluck and find out what Home Grown New Mexico classes and events are being held in 2019. Please bring a dish. Jannine will go over the class schedule.

Location: Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association building
2520-B Camino Entrada (next to Habitat ReStore on south side of building) • Santa FeFee: FREE for everyone! No need to sign up-just show up!